River Players present “Earnest”

Come see “The Importance of Being Earnest” this weekend at the Cine Theater in downtown New Albany. The play will be shown February 20th at 7 p.m. and February 21st at 2 and 7 p.m.

This is a directing debut for the play’s director Barbara Wise. Wise has been involved with theater for five years doing lighting, sound and odd jobs, but this is her first time ever directing a play.

“I really like directing. I was always the person in the back wishing things were done a different way and now that I am the director, they can be. When I got the chance, I was really excited. I had read the play a few times and seen the movie many times, so I had an idea beforehand of how I wanted to direct the play,” said Wise.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a comedy of mistaken identity, which ridicules codes of propriety and etiquette.

The ensemble includes 10 cast members, 14 crew members, a director and an assistant director.

Through deception, misunderstandings and down right dishonesty, Mr. Jack Worthing convinces everyone he knows in the country that he has a younger brother by the name of Earnest who lives in London who must be bailed out of trouble all the time. But while in London, Jack becomes Earnest. And here is where the fun begins.

Rick Robbins plays Dr. Chasuble, love interest of Miss Prism.

“What I learned during the process of rehearsing for this play was the importance of playing the character’s role well and making the script come alive to the audience,” Robbins said. Acting is a fun and great hobby and I enjoy it. Audience members will have a good time at the play. It is a British comedy with tongue-in-cheek humor.”

“Algy is a playboy,” Veal said of his character. “He doesn’t let stuff bother him, he eats a lot, has no money but tries to live like a millionaire. It has been a lot of fun rehearsing for this play. The play is a snobby British satire.”

The cost for the show is $8 for adults and $6 for children. Coffee Addict is the sponsor of the play.

The next play being produced by the Tallahatchie River Players is M.A.S.H. The auditions are being held Sunday, February 22nd from 2-4 p.m. and Monday, February 23rd from 6:30 to 8 p.m. A large cast of 27 is needed with adult male and female roles needed. Phil Nanney is the director and Lucy Grey is the assistant director. For more information, go to www.tallahatchieriverplayers.com.